Beverage of the Week (BOW)
Tongue Dancer Wines Putnam Vineyard Pinot Noir West Sonoma Coast 2023
Product Story
The 2023 vintage marks the tenth and final vintage of The Tongue Dancer Wines (TDW) Putnam Vineyard Pinot Noir. Like many relationships that have run their course, the final ride was a bit chilly with the coldest harvest since 2011. Despite the air temperature, the wine is warm and inviting, delivering a bigger punch than previous vintages. We will miss TDW’s masterful take with the delicious fruit from this vineyard situated just six miles from the Pacific Ocean. As mentioned, the 2023 vintage was a cool one, with the fruit arriving late on 6 October. The grapes are hand-picked and gently destemmed, not crushed. The five-day, pre-fermentation cold soak undoubtedly contributes to the dark, inky color and intense aromatics. This Pinot rests for 16 months exclusively in French oak barrels (20% new) prior to bottling.
Brand Story
Tongue Dancer Wines is the creation of James and Kerry MacPhail. If you are a California Pinot Noir lover, you likely know James' previous work with MacPhail Family Wines. James knows how to make amazing Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, and James knows a lot of people who grow spectacular Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. We have been reviewing the wines from Tongue Dancer for the better part of a decade and have never seen a Tongue Dancer Wine fail to earn Four-Stars or better. Tongue Dancer constantly innovates, releasing new wines yearly while never missing a beat. Once, they surprised us by releasing a great, dry cider! This is a winery to watch. The wines are always in short supply, so be swift. Visit their website and join their mailing list to get direct access to their wines.
Tasting Note
Brilliant, deep ruby color. The aromatics are intense, offering scents of red cherry, boysenberry, and black tea with supporting notes of five spice, leather, and earth. The palate confirms the nose, delivering a red and black fruit-driven core with flavors of black cherry, hibiscus flower, black plum, and pomegranate. The finish is long and lingering with supple tannins. Medium to full-bodied and perfectly balanced with an opulent texture.
How to Serve
Typically, this wine requires little to no accompaniment, but this vintage is so remarkably robust that it excels with food — especially in its youth. Pair it with a grilled beef ribeye or rich, braised beef and mushrooms.
Price: $75